Mike Dalton

Michael Lee Dalton, 72, of Fieldton, Texas, passed away on January 2, 2026, in Lubbock, Texas. Mike was a man of few words but deep creativity - a writer, painter, and artist whose hands could take something discarded and give it new life. He saw beauty in the overlooked and possibility in the ordinary, and he shared that quiet magic with everyone, fortunate enough to know him.

Mike was born on December 28, 1953, in Portsmouth, Virginia. His early years took him across several communities: Floydada for grades 1 through 4, Alamogordo, New Mexico in 1963, and later Lubbock, where he attended Monterey Junior High. He eventually moved to Anton, Texas, where he attended Anton High School and proudly played Varsity Football for the Anton Bulldogs.

On July 23, 1976, Mike married the love of his life, Candy, in Clovis, New Mexico. They began their life together in Farwell before settling in Fieldton, where they built a home filled with loyalty, humor, and the simple joys that mattered most to him and his family.

Mike worked with an entrepreneurial spirit throughout his life. His career included roles at Littlefield and Olton Feed Yard, Coca-Cola, Eagle Picture, J.E. Merit, Eagle Steel, and the Santa Fe Railroad. Eventually, he poured his skill and independence into his own business, Dalton's Welding & Repair, where he transformed raw metal into purposeful work-just as he did with so many things in life.

He was proud of his accomplishments, earning a welding certificate at TDC and a bachelor's degree in business from Sam Houston University. He also served his country with honor, receiving an Honorable Medical Discharge from the United States Army in 1971. Mike gave back to his community as well, serving as a Boy Scout Leader for Troop #641.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents, J.L. Dalton Jr., Florine Shelby, and A.D. & Wanda Chaney.

He is survived by his wife, Candy Dalton of Fieldton; his son, Michael Alan Dalton of Fieldton; and his granddaughter, Alexaundrea Dalton, along with her mother, Tonya Reynolds. He is also survived by his sister, Karen Becton and family of Mount Pleasant; his brother, Robert Dalton and family of Sundown; his special nieces, Tara Ensor and family of New Braunfels, and Lee Ann Dublin and family of Leander; and his special nephews, Brett Chaney and family of New Port, Vermont, and Rhett Chaney and family of Leander. Mike also leaves behind a dear friend, Lyric Rios, and his beloved pets, Rosa and Max.

Pallbearers will be Justin Elliott, Chuck Brown, Brett Chaney, Rhett Chaney, Sean Dublin, and Dwain Tucker. Honorary pallbearers are Coty Ensor, Chris Ward, and Ricky Arend.

Mike will be remembered for his quiet strength, his artistic soul, and his ability to breathe new life into the overlooked. His legacy lives on in the family he cherished, the work he crafted, and the countless small transformations he left behind, proof that beauty can be found, or made, anywhere.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 08, 2026, at Grace Chapel within the Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas with Pastor Vance Thomas officiating. Visitation service is scheduled for 6:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 07, 2026, at Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas. Interment will be in Littlefield Memorial Park. The family suggests memorial donations to Littlefield EMS at P.O. Box 1267, Littlefield, Texas 79339.

Arrangements are under the personal care of Hillcrest Funeral Home in Littlefield, Texas.